Gurmeet Ram Rahim does not deserve leniency, says Supreme Court

Chandigarh: Giving 20 year rigorous imprisonment to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, convicted for raping his two “sadhvis”, a special CBI court said in clear terms he does not deserve leniency as he did not spare his pious disciples. “In other words, he’s a man who neither has concern for humanity nor has any mercy in his nature,’’ pointed out CBI special judge Jagdeep Singh. Judge further went on to add that if the acts of convict&hellip;

Chandigarh: Giving 20 year rigorous imprisonment to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, convicted for raping his two “sadhvis”, a special CBI court said in clear terms he does not deserve leniency as he did not spare his pious disciples.

“In other words, he’s a man who neither has concern for humanity nor has any mercy in his nature,’’ pointed out CBI special judge Jagdeep Singh.

Judge further went on to add that if the acts of convict in sexually exploiting his female disciples and threatening them with dire consequences were taken note of, then such kind of person do not deserve any sympathy of the court.

“Both the victims had put Ram Rahim on the pedestal of God and revered him like that. However, he committed breach of gravest nature by sexually assaulting such gullible and blind followers. Such criminal acts of convict, who is stated to be heading a religious organisation — Dera Sacha Sauda at Sirsa — are bound to shatter image of pious sacred spiritual, social, cultural and religious institutions existing in the country since time immemorial. This, in turn, reflects irreparable damages caused by the acts of convict to the heritage of ancient land,” the judge said in his order.

Fully agreeing with the punishment, the judge referred to the Supreme Court judgments. He said the fundamental purpose of imposition of sentence is based on the principal that the convict must realise that the crime committed by him has not created only a dent on the life of victims, but a concavity in the social fabric. The purpose of just punishment is designed so that the individuals in the society, which ultimately constitute the collective, do not suffer time and again for such crimes. It serves as a deterrent, the court said.

On the other side of the coin, the dera chief had pleaded for a lesser sentence on the grounds that he has completed 50 years and is suffering from hypertension, acute diabetes and spinal disc problem causing severe backache for the past eight years.

Describing his welfare works, the dera head said he has motivated thousands of people to do social works, such as plantation drives. “The convict is carrying out social works in Haryana, when the state government has failed to do so,” his counsel claimed before court.

He also argued that the convict motivated people to marry prostitutes, played commendable role in drug de-addiction and 133 welfare works were in progress under his guidance.